Stocking fillers: 20 inspirational gift ideas for outdoor adventurers

Monday, 4 December 2017

Whatever the plan is this Christmas, whether you’re taking the family away to an exotic mountain location or you’re just looking for somewhere scenic to walk off that third helping of beef wellington, our stocking fillers books are bound to come in handy – plus, they'd make pretty decent gifts for friends too. Until 14 December, each of these titles is available at 30% off with our festive discount code. Keep reading for details …

Climbers

What's inside? A celebration of significant developments at the cutting edge of rock climbing in the Peak District, from the day that James W Puttrell first set foot on rock at Wharncliffe in the late nineteenth century, through to modern day ascents on the area’s gritstone and limestone rock faces.

What's inside? This book presents a modern selection of 100 must-do routes, ranging from historic classics to more recent lines, described in order of increasing difficulty. Author and mountain guide Philippe Batoux provides a comprehensive account of each route, outlining its history and atmosphere and giving all the technical information needed to climb it.

Perfect for ... Climbers of varying ability looking to plan challenging itineraries on quality rock in the Mont Blanc Massif.

What's inside? A collection of essays, tales and stories that plugs into the frenetic world of rock climbers and mountaineers. Written by a diverse band of writers who range from Frank Smythe, Dougal Haston and Pete Boardman to Martin Boysen, Ed Drummond and Yvon Chouinard, the book captures the joie de vivre that attends genuinely adventurous climbing, while never losing sight of the deadly serious game that it can become.

What's inside? A celebration of climbing in Scotland’s wild places, compiled by Guy Robertson and Adrian Crofton. Featuring contributions from many of Scottish mountaineering’s great writers and climbers, and beautifully illustrated with breathtaking photography, it delves deep into the heart of some of the oldest mountains on Earth.

Perfect for ... Anyone with a love of Scotland’s wild places and rich mountain heritage.

Walkers

What's inside? This book showcases 20 circular day-length walks in the Lake District, between 5 and 13 miles (8 and 21 kilometres) in length. Shortcuts and alternative routes extend the options available and make the most of the terrain on these circuits.

Perfect for ... Walkers and scramblers of all abilities looking for a guide to the main tourist bases and sought-after peaks in the Lakes.

What's inside? Day Walks in Devon features 20 circular routes, between 8.8 and 17.6 miles (14.1km and 28.3km), suitable for hillwalkers of all abilities. The routes are split into five geographical areas: North Devon and Exmoor, Torridge and West Devon, Mid and East Devon, Dartmoor, and South Devon and the South Hams.

Perfect for ... People looking to explore the region’s diverse and beautiful terrain via varied routes selected by local experts.

Runners

What's inside? Being hit by a car doing over 40 miles-per-hour while cycling would have ended many athletes’ dreams, but Dawe’s drive pushed her even harder. Hard enough to win Elite Mountain Marathons, to win the Three Peaks Cyclo-cross race and to complete the Bob Graham Round. Pushing harder still, she entered the Tour Divide – racing the 2,745-mile route of the Continental Divide in North America. An intensely deep and personal book, Adventures in Mind explores what drives a woman – living with her partner and their child, working 9 to 5 – to push so hard and so far; into herself, and into the wild.

Perfect for ... Anyone who's resolved to get out there and have an outdoor adventure this new year.

What's inside? North Wales Trail Running is a comprehensive guide to off-road running across North Wales, including Snowdonia, Anglesey and into the Llŷn Peninsula and the Clwyds. With 20 runs from 4km to 20.4km in length, this book is suitable for runners of all abilities.

Perfect for ... People looking to venture away from the honeypot areas and discover places they've never visited before.

Mountain Bikers

What's inside? A collection of 20 classic Welsh mountain bike rides, between 12 and 50 kilometres in length. Written and illustrated by Mountain Bike Rider magazine's Wales-based routes expert Tom Hutton, each route is described with easy-to-follow directions and is plotted on clear and easy to use Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 mapping. Also included are details of distance, timings and difficulty gradings, plus refreshment stops and local knowledge.

Perfect for ... Anyone looking for a comprehensive guide to mountain biking in Wales with a good spread of locations.

What's inside? Scotland Mountain Biking – Wild Trails Vol.2 features 24 new and classic mountain bike rides across Scotland. Like the original Wild Trails guidebook, this book includes challenging mountain passes, endless singletrack, lochside cruises and more, all in a country named a 'Global Superstar' by the International Mountain Biking Association.

Perfect for ... Mountain bikers looking for a more technical challenge on quality singletrack in little-visited locations.

Cyclists

What's inside? Rod Ismay has a passion (some would say obsession) for the Tour de France. If you think you know someone who is obsessed, think again, but fortunately Rod’s issues found their natural home when his native Yorkshire became the host for the 2014 Grand Départ.

Rod also has another passion – as well as cycling he is quite keen on bell-ringing, so why not combine the two?

Perfect for ... Anybody who likes cycling, knows Yorkshire or is thinking of marrying a Tour de France obsessive – because they need to read this book first!

In July 2014 the greatest cycle race in the world visits God’s Own County of Yorkshire. The 101st edition of Le Tour De France starts in Leeds and spends two days cycling over 240 miles through the county.

Inspired by Yorkshire’s wonderful landscape and history A Bicycle Ride in Yorkshire is an illustrated guide to the route of Le Tour Yorkshire, by cyclist, writer and artist Heather Dawe.

Perfect for ... Any cycling, Tour de France or Yorkshire aficionado.

Wildlife and Wilderness Lovers

What's inside? In The Water Vole, Christine Gregory tells the story of the water vole, past, present and future. A native of the British Isles, the water vole is a cherished resident of our rivers, canals, streams and ponds. But this once ever-present mammal, like so many others, is now in danger.

Perfect for ... People with a passion for British wildlife and the conservation of native species.

What's inside? John has travelled extensively, encountering the natural rhythms and raw beauty of the world in its most remote and spectacular settings. Wild Vision is the first retrospective of John’s work.

Perfect for ... Photography buffs, nature lovers and those drawn to remote and wild places.

Explorers

What's inside? Days to Remember is a collection of tales from well-known mountain guide Rob Collister – tales of long days on the hill, travelling fast and light, often alone, and always steering well clear of the honeypots. From day trips around his local hills in Wales, to worldwide expeditions including the Silvretta Alps, Gletscherhorn, the Cordillera Blanca and Annapurna, Rob Collister enjoys covering ground under his own steam, whether it be walking, running, climbing, cycling or skiing.

Perfect for ... Anyone looking to be inspired for their next day out in the hills.

Young Adventurers

All Ellie Morgan wants is to be with her one true love, Henry. But she’s caught in the middle of a BATTLE as old as SNOWDON itself. A battle between GOOD and EVIL.

A WITCHES’ SPELL, cast high on the mountain, has sped up time and made matters MUCH WORSE. The dragons are awake; mythical creatures and evil ghosts have risen. And nearly all of them want Ellie DEAD. Ellie and her companions must set out on a journey to REVERSE THE SPELL, stop the EVIL White Dragon and find Henry.

Perfect for ... Girls and boys aged nine to fourteen who love fantasy fiction and modern adventure stories.

Aidan’s village is under siege. A fracking company has moved on to the land. Once drilling is complete, the paddocks looked after by Aidan’s family will be gone, along with his home and the horse he loves.

Aidan and his best friends Emmi and Jon have one last hope. Legend has it that the warrior queen Boudicca is buried close by. If only they can find the tomb … prove this is the site of her last great battle against Roman invaders …

Perfect for ... Middle-grade readers who like an ancient legend with a spooky twist.

Help yourself to 30% each of these books using the discount code STOCKINGUP. Happy holidays!